Ascot United make their debut in the Isuzu FA Trophy with a trip down the A3 to face fellow newly-promoted side Horndean on Saturday (3pm). Now ineligible to defend the FA Vase, The Yellamen will compete in its sister competition for sides at Step 1-4.
Horndean also now compete in the Isthmian League alongside Ascot, albeit in the parallel South East section, where their start to the season has yielded two points from their opening three games leaving them 17th.
Whilst Ascot achieved a record Step-5 points-per-game in achieving promotion last season, Horndean’s own campaign was equally remarkable as they won the title in a tumultuous end-of-season Wessex League run-in that saw four teams finish with over 90 points; almost 30 points clear of fifth! And even then it was only a match-winning goal in the 5th minute of stoppage time against Portland United on 25th April, coupled with defeat for AFC Portchester on the same evening, that secured the title.
The two sides have met before when Ascot won a close FA Vase campaign back in 2014; Daryl McLean netting the only goal to send his side through to round three.
A coach leaves The Racecourse at 11.45am for anyone wishing to travel with the team and supporters. The ground address is Five Heads Road, PO8 9NZ.
